Gridiron NSW, originally known as NSW Gridiron Football League (NSWGFL) until 2007, is the state governing body for American football (otherwise known as 'gridiron') in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It administers tackle and flag football competitions across men’s, women’s, colt's, and junior divisions and oversees the development of the sport under Gridiron Australia.

Founded in 1984, Gridiron NSW is the longest-running American football organisation in Australia. It succeeded the Australian American Football Conference (AAFC) after its inaugural season and continued as the state’s primary competition following the dissolution of the breakaway competition NSW Premier State Gridiron League in 1996.

Gridiron NSW currently oversees four divisions, comprising two tackle leagues—Men’s (18+ years) and Colts (16–19 years)—and two flag football leagues—Women’s (18+ years) and Juniors (8–15 years).

The two top teams in each division participate in their respective bowl games - Waratah Bowl (Men), Sapphire Bowl (Women), Kookaburra Bowl (Colts) and Harbour Bowl (Juniors) respectively. These games and also known as the State Finals. The Opal Bowl, formerly contested in the women’s tackle competition, was retired after the 2024 season following the division’s transition to flag football.

The Sydney University Lions hold the record for the most Waratah Bowl championships, with 21 titles overall, including 16 consecutive championships from 2003 to 2018. The streak ended in 2019, when the Northern Sydney Rebels defeated the UNSW Raiders 38–32 in the Waratah Bowl.

Each season, the top-performing players from across the league are selected to represent New South Wales at the Australian Gridiron League National Championships. These representative teams compete under the names the Wolfpack (Men), Coyotes (Women), and Wolverines (Colts).

Following the demise of the Newcastle Kings, the Hunter Gridiron League was launched as a separate competition for players in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area of NSW.

League Members

Current members UNSW Raiders Northern Sydney Rebels Nepean Ducks Sutherland Seahawks Sydney University Lions UTS Gators Wollongong Mustangs

Former Members Former Senior Teams Army Astros Blacktown Vikings Canberra Sabretooths Canterbury Cougars Central Coast Sharks Central West Giants Concord Jaguars Eastern Suburbs Buccaneers Fairfield Argonauts Hills District Eagles Manly Redbacks Newcastle Cobras Newcastle Kings Newcastle Uni Thunder North Western Rebels North Western Predators Parramatta Bears Parramatta Saxons Penrith Outlaws Ryde Spartans St George Fireballs Tempe Jets/Mascot Jets UC Stars West Sydney Pirates Western Wolverines

Former Junior Teams Blacktown Stars Caringbah Chargers Casula Bears Eastside Colts Lansvale Trojans Newcastle Pirates North Shore Falcons North Western Panthers Penrith City Chiefs Penrith Wolverines

Championship Game History Men - Waratah Bowl Year Champion Runner-up Score2025UNSW Raiders (10)UTS Gators48-62024UNSW Raiders (9)UTS Gators70-422023UNSW Raiders (8)Sydney University Lions48-252022Sydney University Lions (22)Northern Sydney Rebels35-0 2021SEASON CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19**2020Sydney University Lions (21)UTS Gators25-12 2019Northern Sydney Rebels (1)UNSW Raiders38-322018Sydney University Lions (20)UNSW Raiders33-162017Sydney University Lions (19)West Sydney Pirates17–02016Sydney University Lions (18)West Sydney Pirates20–19 2015 Sydney University Lions (17) West Sydney Pirates 36–18 2014 Sydney University Lions (16) West Sydney Pirates 42–14 2013 Sydney University Lions (15) NorthWestern Predators 83–18 2012 Sydney University Lions (14)UTS Gators 38–0 2011 Sydney University Lions (13) West Sydney Pirates 47–8 2010 Sydney University Lions (12)UTS Gators 37–0 2009 Sydney University Lions (11)UTS Gators 34–26 2008 Sydney University Lions (10) West Sydney Pirates 38–34 2007 Sydney University Lions (9)UTS Gators 34–28 2006 Sydney University Lions (8)UTS Gators 34–26 2005 Sydney University Lions (7) Bondi Raiders 23–0 2004 Sydney University Lions (6) West Sydney Pirates 32–7 2003 Sydney University Lions (5) UWS Outlaws 38–21 2002 UWS Outlaws (1) Sydney University Lions 33–18 2001 Sutherland Seahawks (3) Sydney University Lions 28–21 2000 Sutherland Seahawks (2) Sydney University Lions 12–6 1999 Bondi Raiders (7) Sutherland Seahawks 9-7 1998 Bondi Raiders (6) ACT Astros 10–3 1997 Sutherland Seahawks (1) ACT Astros 21–17 1996 ACT Astros (1) Sydney University Lions 14–0 1995 Sydney University Lions (4) ACT Astros 13–3 1994 Canberra Sabretooths (1) Manly Redbacks 10–6 1993 Manly Redbacks (1) Sydney University Lions 14–13 1992 Sydney University Lions (3) Bondi Raiders 14–6 1991 Bondi Raiders (5) Sydney University Lions 14–12 1990 Bondi Raiders (4) Sydney University Lions 16–13 1989 Bondi Raiders (3) Sydney University Lions 14–13 1988 Bondi Raiders (2) Hills District Eagles ??-?? 1987 Bondi Raiders (1) Eastern Suburbs Buccaneers 25-0 1986 Sydney University Lions (2) Fairfield Argonauts 20–0 1985 Sydney University Lions (1) Bondi Raiders 15–9 1984 Canterbury Cougars (1) Sydney University Stormtroopers (Lions) 19–7

Women - Opal Bowl Year Champion Runner-up Score2024UNSW Raiders (6)UC Stars32-202023UNSW Raiders (5)Northern Sydney Rebels18-142022Northern Sydney Rebels (2)UNSW Raiders36-8 2021SEASON CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19**2020Northern Sydney Rebels (1)UNSW Raiders30-24 2019UNSW Raiders (4)Northern Sydney Rebels22-8 2018Sydney University Lions (1)Northern Sydney Rebels14-16 2017UNSW Raiders (3)Canberra Diamonds28-18 2016UNSW Raiders (2)NorthWestern Phoenix40-6 2015UNSW Raiders (1)UTS Gators40-16 2014UTS Gators (1)Newcastle Cobras42-26 2013NorthWestern Phoenix (1)Newcastle Cobras28-12

NSW Premier State Gridiron League

The NSW Premier State Gridiron League (NSWPSGL) was formed by members who had broken away from the NSW Gridiron Football League (NSWGFL), which was the only American football league operating in New South Wales at the time, following internal disagreements. The league operated from 1993 to 1996. During this period, it also administered the NSW Premier State Youth Gridiron League (NSWPSYGL), Australia’s first junior gridiron competition.

In its inaugural 1993 season, the league comprised six teams: the Bondi Raiders, Liverpool Pirates, L.U.S.C. Argonauts, Mascot Jets, Newcastle Cobras, and Wollongong Mustangs. After four seasons of competition, the league was disbanded prior to the commencement of the 1997 season, with its teams rejoining the NSW Gridiron Football League.

NSW Premier State Youth Gridiron League

The origins of the NSW Premier State Youth Gridiron League (NSWPSYGL) may be traced to the establishment in 1991 of the first two junior teams in New South Wales: Blacktown Starrs and Penrith Wolverines. The teams played two exhibition games at Penrith Park and Parramatta Stadium in June and July 1991 before games between touring US Down Under Bowl high school teams from North Dakota and Colorado.

In its inaugural 1993 season, the Penrith City Chiefs defeated the North Shore Falcons 32-0 in the State Championship Game.

In 1994, the NSWPSYGL consisted of 5 teams: Caringbah Chargers, Eastside Colts, Lansvale Trojans, North Shore Falcons and Penrith City Chiefs. The 1994 season ended with the Penrith City Chiefs being crowned State Champions following an amazing 13-12 comeback victory against the North Shore Falcons in the State Championship Game on 29 May 1994. Trailing 12-6 late in the 4th quarter, quarterback Graeme Pollard led the Chiefs on a final drive, ultimately connecting with wide receiver Andrew Stowe in the end zone for the game winning score, with just 47 seconds remaining.

The Penrith City Chiefs completed a three-peat in the 1995 season and in the NSWPSYGL’s final season in 1996, the newly formed Casula Bears won the State Championship. The Casula Bears also heavily recruited players from the Penrith City Chiefs, who had since moved to the NSW Gridiron League. The team went on to once again beat Bondi in the State Championship game.

See also Gridiron Australia

References

External links Gridiron NSW official site